Iliuaua
Other Names: Pake
General Characteristics: Medium in height to tall, well spreading, stocky, maturing within 9 to 12 months, producing from 5 to 10 oha which may remain dormant for several weeks; identified by exceedingly large leaf blades, very thick and firm in texture, and conspicuously divergent petiole sinus.
Petiole: 80 to 100 cm. Long, light green shading to yellowish on upper third, usually brown or light reddish-purple at apex, indistinctly reddish to whitish at edge, a pink ring at base with lighter pink for 3 to 5 cm. above; sinus distinctly divergent.
Leaf blade: 65 to 80 cm. long, 45 to 60 cm. wide, 55 to 70 cm. from tip to base of sinus, broadly ovate, firm-chartaceous, drooping and often resting on the ground, light green; margins somewhat undulate; piko yellowish; veins brown or light reddish-purple on lower surface; lobes obtuse with shallow, very wide sinus.
Corm: Very large, usually weighing over 2 pounds; flesh white faintly tinged with pink, especially near the apex, the fibers yellowish; skin pale pink.
Origin, and derivation of name: Unknown origin; it has been named Iliuaua because of the firm tough leaf blades. In Kona, Hawaii, it is sometimes called Pake, which means "Chinese."
Distribution: Limited; well adapted to upland culture.
Use: Good table taro; the leaves are esteemed highly for luau.
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